Sneak Peek Garden 2017 Issue Sneak Peek The Garden 2017 issue of Craft Ideas magazine has more than 50 projects to inspire creativity! Featuring garden and patio ideas, as well as twig crafts, gifts for mom, dad and grads, cards and more. Check...

DIY Origami Heart Watch our video to learn a super easy way to create an origami heart! Use them to embellish your Valentine's Day card or string several together to make heart garland for a festive look. Happy crafting!

1. Undercoating or Basecoat: Solid or semi-solid application of paint. Thin paint with water and apply in thin applications.

2. Blending: Applying two or more values of color side by side, or above and below, then blending together, resulting in a smooth transition between value changes. Hold brush handle at back and have brush at 45 degree angle to blend on flat side of bristles, not chisel edge.

3. Extender Medium: Used to extend open time of paint. Extender is applied to dry surface using large clean brush dedicated to extender only. Apply small amount to surface area and brush back and forth to activate Extender. Extender can also be used in brush instead of water. Water is solvent to extender therefore causing extender to dry faster. Always apply extender to majority of surface as extender dries from outside in allowing more open time for blending values.

4. Glazing Medium or Barrier Coat: Use mix of Glazing Medium + water (1:1) to apply to entire surface between each stage of painting to protect and prevent previous layers from reactivating and lifting.

Color Mixes

1. Note: Artist prefers to mix values on wax palette then transfering to wet palette in value order, see photos.

2. Cream Mix = Warm White + Raw Sienna (11:1); mix large amount as this color will be used for background and in all mixes.

1. Note: Use hair dryer to force dry paint between each stage to stop paint from lifting or reactivating.

Stage 1 - Background

1. Note: Background is developed in several layered applications during each stage. Notice canvas background begins very soft and evolves with each stage of painting process. Wood pieces have a textured effect applied since they are smaller.Stage 1

1. Note: Light source is at upper right of design. Use filbert brushes in this stage to apply paint, then blend to disburse color; pinch-wipe brush if too much paint is on surface and re-blend. Use a variety of mop brushes and dome blenders to soften transition lines between values, softly taping or patting brushes.Stage 2

Stage 2-1

Stage 2-2

2. Refer to Artist's Technique Terms and Tips to moisten surface with thin application of Extender, brushing back and forth to activate and disperse evenly; if Extender starts to dry prior to finishing each stage, remoisten. Use Extender to moisten brush, not water.

4. Zucchinis: Use #10 filbert to apply Light Green Value for green zucchini and Light Yellow Value for yellow zucchini; apply with tip of brush, blending as you go. (Note: Streaks are desirable and will help to create raised edges on these vegetables.)

5. Leaf and Stems: Use #8 filbert to apply Light Green Value on leaf edges as shown. Soften transition areas with small mop brush. Side-load brush with same light value and apply along right side of stems.

6. Flowers: Use Light Purple Value for purple flower and Light Yellow Value for yellow flowers; apply paint to center of each petal using tip of brush, blending as you go, and leaving streaks for interest. Separate overlapping petals with light values.

1. Dark values are applied in same manner as light values; moisten surface first with Extender. Moisten brush with Extender.Stage 3

Stage 3-1

Stage 3-2

Stage 3-3

2. Eggplant: Use #10 filbert to apply Dark Purple Value along left and lower left side.

3. Purple Flower: Use #6 filbert to apply Dark Purple Value in center of flower, then use tip of brush to pull dark through center of each petal.

4. Zucchinis: Use #10 filbert to apply Dark Green Value or Dark Yellow Value for appropriate zucchini; blend along left side, bottom, slightly up lower right side, and at top where zucchini is connected to stem. (Notice dark steaks in upper center of paper towel holder, indicating raised areas.)

5. Leaf: Use #8 or #10 filbert and Dark Green Value to apply along right side where leaf is connected to stem, then stretch down center of each of leaf's three sections. Soften transition areas with mop brush. Side-load flat brush with same dark value and apply along left side of stems.

6. Yellow Flower: Side-load flat brush or filbert to add Dark Yellow Value along petal edges. Add some of this dark value to dark side of eggplant stem.

7. Background Texture: Force dry surface. Moisten entire surface with Extender. Load 1/2" flat with Raw Sienna, apply here and there over previous Raw Sienna applications; while wet, lay crinkled plastic wrap on paint, press and lift. Soften with plastic where needed. In same manner, apply Medium Purple Value and Medium Green Value working one section at a time. Each application of faux background effect will add additional depth and interest to painting.

1. This stage will focus on continuing to develop forms by applying smaller areas of darker and lighter values on each object, including stems. Start with existing light value for each object then if a lighter value is needed brush mix with Cream mix or another light value (e.g.: to make a lighter green, brush mix into light yellow.) Lower left side of vegetables will be where darkest values are placed.Stage 4

4. Background Texture: Continue to build background using same technique as Stage 3, Background Texture. Apply a slightly darker green value in corners to frame design. (Note: Make sure this background does not overwhelm painting.) If more light value is desired near vegetables, add Warm White or Cream mix here and there; refer to photos. (Note: Wipe paint from vegetables using clean brush and water.)

3. Eggplant: Use mix of Naphthol Red Lt. + Ultramarine Blue (2:1) for burgundy color. Use mix to apply very thin glaze on right half of eggplant. Use blender mop or dome blender to remove excess glaze from light area. While wet, apply final light sparkle.

4. Zucchinis: Apply very scant Indian Yellow glaze to light area of green zucchini; while wet, apply brush mix of Light Yellow Value and Cream mix for final sparkle. Add same sparkle to yellow zucchini omitting Indian Yellow. Apply Dark Purple Value accents to lower right and left side of both zucchinis; add some burgundy mix to left side of yellow zucchini. Add more yellow splotches on green zucchini if desired; blend to soften.

6. Yellow Flower: Side-load Dark Purple Value and apply here and there along petals edges to separate or lift an edge. Use liner and same color to tap in flower center. Use Cream mix to add final light sparkles.

8. Curly-Q's: Use liner to paint curls in variations of green: use brush mix of Medium Green Value + Medium Yellow Value; add more yellow to some and more green to others. Force dry. Add darker values here and there on the left side and lighter values here and there on right side.